"I didn't see it three years ago. It started during the pandemic and it's gotten a lot worse." Neurologist Dr David Nicholl explains why he thinks young people going to hospital with nerve damage after taking laughing gas is an 'epidemic'. Last year it was the second most used drug by 16-24 year olds in the UK, and the rise in supersized canisters – which are around 80 times bigger than the individual canisters – has sparked more concern. The cheap substance, which comes in small silver containers, is supposed to be used for whipping cream and sometimes as an anaesthetic. But in the past decade, it is being increasingly used as a drug, being inhaled from balloons for a quick high. It is currently legal to possess nitrous oxide in the UK but is illegal to sell it. We spoke with Dr Nicholl about what he's noticed, and what he thinks needs to change. #LaughingGas #NitrousOxide #balloons #drugs #doctor #drug